RealGM

Ill offer this idea for the Warriors to ideally try to upgrade roster without giving up a 1st and keep paying into the tax as long as Steph under contract. Based on that, ill offer this idea

To Golden State
-Nikola Vucevic (2 years, $41.4 million)

To Chicago (Waive Tucker & Craig)
-Gary Payton (1 year, $9.1 million)
-Kevan Looney (1 year, $8 million)
-Lindy Watters III (1 year, $2.2 million)
-2025 Heat 2nd (31-37 protected)
-2030 Warriors 2nd round pick (31-35 protected)

Why?
-The Warriors use expirings and remaings 2nds to upgrade 5 spot in Vucevic as they can replace Watters and Payton with veteran minimum players.

-The Bulls move on from Vucenvic and get expirings and 2nds as they look to start setting themselves up to an off-season re-set by taking the $21 million owed to Vucevic off the books.

I think Chicago can do better than that.

Probably going to be something similar. Maybe Hield in place of Waters and the Bulls add Craig, THT or Duarte (who GS liked in the draft) so it’s not a 3 for 1 deal that leaves GS pressed to fill the roster

Texas Chuck wrote:I think Chicago can do better than that.

I assume the Bulls will wait to see what other bigs on the market fetch. If the likes of Valinciunas lands the Wiz 2 quality 2nds, then I could see the Bulls asking for a lottery protected 1st for Vucevic. Time will tell......

Move on from Vucevic, Yes

Get Payton and Waters who have no place to play in CHI, is pointless, and expensive

make it Hield who can at least shoot instead of Waters and the Bulls send Jevon Carter

THT plays meaningful Minutes, even with their guard glut. Craig is he's healthy can contribute otherwise should bring back a 2nd on his own for a playoff team

Looney and Smith split time at center that's fine

Yeah I mean this has been beaten to death. I'm a fan; if it takes a lotto protected 1st instead of 2 2nds to get it done, then fine.

Texas Chuck wrote:I think Chicago can do better than that.

Agree. Vucevic is one of the better centers that are probably available. He looked really bad on those awfully constructed Bulls rosters the last few years. He’s underrated at this point.

Trade is impossible because the Warriors are up against the apron by a few hundred K, then would have to sign someone to meet the roster minimum, but they couldn't.

It would need to be something like:

Kyle Anderson, GPII, Looney
for
Vuc, THT, Craig

Then pick your draft compensation -- if I'm the Warriors I'm never offering a 1st for a guy Vuc's age while you are a declining team. Vuc is shooting hot, last year he was 29% from 3. Schroder moved teams and the results did not carry over, can't assume Vuc continues his heater.

Personally I think the Warriors should stand pat or be sellers, not buyers given how this season has unfolded.